ALANA Student Center (ASC) Newsletter

2010-2011
ALANA Student Center (ASC)
Newsletter
Formerly the Office of Multicultural Programs (OMP)
ALANA
Tunnel of Frisch Hall, Room 008
716-888-2787
ALANA Student Center Newsletter 2010-2011
Page 2
Contents
Western New York Coalition of Multicultural Offices in Higher Education………………....…...……..3
Country A & Country Z Diversity Experience………………………………………………….………….3
ALANA Club Spotlight…………………………………………………….……………….…...…………...4
ALANA Retreat ……………………………………………………………………………..…….…………5
ALANA E-Board Award Recipients………………..…………………………………….……………….....5
A Student’s Perspective on Receiving the ALANA E-Board Award……..………………………….…....5
Canisius College/Indiana University (IU) Recruitment Pilot Program.……………...………….………..6
Donning of the Kente Stoles……..………………………………………...……………………………..…..6
Congratulations to the Class of 2011!…………………….…………………..……………………………..7
From the Editor:
Greetings,
Tishana C. Daniel MS ’12
My name is Tishana C. Daniel ’12, and I am the current Graduate Assistant in the ALANA Student Center (ASC), formerly the
Office of Multicultural Programs (OMP). The wonderful environment at Canisius College and the strong support from ASC has been
such a blessing for me. From the Jesuits’ teachings, I have learned to focus on the personal care of the individual as well as being
Magis (being more for others and self). Overall, the 2010-2011 school year has been filled with excitement and unforgettable experiences that have positively shaped me and aided in my professional and personal growth.
As a graduate student in the College Student Personnel Administration program (CSPA), I have had the privilege of working with
many students and recognizing various theories and practices both in and outside the classroom. From my graduate assistantship I
have learned the value of patience and the importance of outreach and support systems. I believe that ASC’s staff members provide
these vital systems that help ALANA* students navigate their way at a predominantly white institution in addition to being true to
who they are. Also I have learned from ALANA students the importance of relationships. By building personal relationships with
ALANA students, I am able to connect and understand them better. These students have personal strength, talents, intelligence, and a
positive outlook on life. I am honored to work with such brilliant students. This is why I love working in ASC!
ASC, in association with other centers, offices, and student clubs, coordinated the ALANA Retreat, the Canisius College/Indiana
University Recruitment Pilot Project, and organized and/or co-sponsored a wide variety of cultural events. This newsletter provides a
glimpse of the amazing activities and programs that occurred during this past academic year. Enjoy!
Some of the articles presented in this newsletter appear in Cultural Times Bulletins (CTB) published by ASC. To see previous CTBs, go to the following link:
http://www.canisius.edu/alana/bulletins.asp.
Note: The Afro American Society at Canisius College no longer hyphenates Afro American in the Society’s name. This change is reflected in this newsletter.
* ALANA = African American, Latino/a American , Asian American, and Native American
ALANA Student Center Newsletter 2010-2011
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Western New York Coalition of Multicultural Offices in Higher Education
The newly formed Western New York Coalition of Multicultural Offices in Higher Education held a meeting on Canisius’ campus in November
2010. The Coalition unites professionals and encourages collaboration and support of its members in helping to fulfill their colleges’ and universities’ cross-cultural goals. ASC’s director, Sababu Norris, is a founding member of the Coalition.
Article appears in the January 2011 CTB
Institutions represented in the photo (left to right) Medaille College, Hilbert College, SUNY at Geneseo, two Canisius College representatives, Buffalo State College,
Niagara University, and Niagara County Community College. Member institutions not represented in photo: D’Youville College and the University at Buffalo,
SUNY.
Country A & Country Z Diversity Experience
by Tishana C. Daniel MS ’12
On October 21, 2010, at Hilbert College, inquisitive students participated in Country A & Country Z*. This two-hour workshop was
co-facilitated by Gail Wells, director of student life at Buffalo State College, assisted by her graduate intern Niya Brooks, and
Sababu Norris, assisted by Tishana Daniel. As a team, we put forth great energy and effort to broaden and open the minds of 51
students so that they could engage, learn, and understand the significance of diversity and cultural awareness in society today. The
students engaged in deep conversation about various issues dealing with diversity. They were not afraid to share their thoughts and
respond to each other’s statements. After the workshop many students thanked the facilitators and informed them that the workshop
was worthwhile. The students felt the workshop should be presented not only at the college level but also at other institutions and
offices. We thank Dr. Tara Jabbaar-Gyambrah, director of multicultural affairs at Hilbert College, for inviting Ms. Wells and Sababu
to Hilbert’s campus.
by Sam Cardamone MS ’12
On October 26, 2010, in the Canisius College Regis Room, a group of 15 Canisius students interested in opening their eyes to
cultural diversity gathered together. Esther Northman, director of the office of international partnerships and programs (IPP); Sam
Cardamone, graduate assistant in IPP; Sababu Norris, director of ASC; and Tishana Daniel, graduate assistant in ASC, combined our
time and talent to facilitate the interactive two-hour cross-cultural workshop Country A & Country Z. The goal of the workshop was
to broaden participants’ multicultural understanding to achieve a deeper knowledge of others’ cultural identities. Even though most
of the participants had just met each other, they actively engaged in conversations that went far beyond normal small talk. The event
was a success. Students walked away agreeing the event had broadened their perspective or reinforced good behaviors that they had
already been employing.
Workshop break-out group at Canisius
*Country A & Country Z was created by K. Daniel-Robinson, PhD and Elizabeth Lee, PhD
Listening activity during the workshop
Cultural experience during the workshop
Article appears in the January 2011 CTB
ALANA Student Center Newsletter 2010-2011
Page 4
ALANA Club Spotlight
Afro American Society
This year, the Afro American
Society produced exciting events.
One of their fall semester events
included a Soul Food Dinner. During the spring semester, they had a
variety of events including A Taste
of Africa, a movie event featuring
Hollow Image and a successful
Poetry Slam that featured Ra Perre
Shelton of HBO’s Def Jam Poetry
Series. Also, the Society held a
fashion show with creative outfits
and great music. The year ended on
a high note with the annual Afro
Society Ball, which was a huge
success. The event included limousine rides, dinner, and a night of
dancing. Each of the Society’s
events had an excellent turnout.
Gospel Ensemble
The Canisius College Gospel
Ensemble held various rehearsals
throughout the year. They also sang
graciously at Afro American
Society’s Taste of Africa event.
Afro American
Society's Ball
G-Squad
Afro American
Society’s Soul
Food Dinner
Poetry Slam
G-Squad started off the year with
a step and dance performance at
Sig Ep's Halloween gathering.
They also participated at PACK
the KAC event. G-Squad
supported and performed at the
Society’s Taste of Africa and
Fashion Show events.
Asian/Asian American Society and Friends
This organization has participated in
several activities, including the
inauguration of Canisius College’s 24th
president, Mr. John Hurley, the Dwali
Event, which included Henna tattoos and
delicious Indian food, and Global Fest.
Their advisor, Dr. David Devereux,
provided consultation for ASC’s Asian
Pacific American Heritage quiz.
Gospel Ensemble
G-Squad Performance
Latin American Students and Friends
Latino/a Cuisine
Henna Tattoos
Dwali Event
Fiesta Latina
Indian Cuisine
Fiesta Latina
The Latin American Students and
Friends (LASAF) produced some
engaging events this year. Fiesta
Latina, one of their well known
programs, included tasty Latino/a
food and rhythmic beats. LASAF
also had movie events including
the movies Sin Nombre and XXY.
The movie XXY was a collaborative event with the Unity club. In
addition to those events, and the
Hispanic Youth Music Project,
LASAF assisted in welcoming Mr.
Cesar Cabrera, the U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius, to Canisius.
ALANA Student Center Newsletter 2010-2011
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ALANA Retreat
On Saturday, April 16, 2011, the Canisius
College ALANA Retreat took place in Grupp
Fireside Lounge and the Regis rooms with
fifty students in attendance. This retreat was
coordinated by an ALANA student
committee. The two student co-chairs of the
committee were Alejandro Nunez ’11 and
Julian Radney ’11. The ALANA Retreat
consisted of a day of free, exciting, and
interactive sessions providing students with
life skills needed to further their education
and complete college. Some of the sessions
included: What Does It Mean to Attend a
Jesuit Institution?, Navigating at a Predominately White Institution, Relationships/
Health/Wellness, Financial Budgeting, and a
student panel. Not only did this event have
wonderful workshops but it also had a lot of
great food, gift bags, and door prizes. Those
who attended the event had a great time and
were able to learn and meet new people. A
special thanks to all the sponsors and those who
contributed gifts for the gift bags. It was truly
appreciated.
The ALANA Co –Chairs
Julian Radney’11 & Alejandro Nunez ’11
Students enjoying a meal!
Smiles!
Team Builder Exercise
ALANA E-Board Award Recipients
The ALANA E-Board Award is given to student leaders who exceed expectations and are actively engaged in their respective ALANA club. This
is not a competition, but rather a way of acknowledging ALANA E-board members for their hard work and dedication. One E-board member from
each club has the opportunity to receive the award. The recipients are chosen by their respective club advisors.
Two talented students received the ALANA E-Board Award this year: Jonathan Montero ’11, president of the Latin American Students and Friends
(LASAF); and Royshawn Sessum ’12, sergeant-at-arms of the Afro American Society. These students were honored at CPLD’s Leadership
Awards Banquet on May 4, 2011.
From left to right, Royshawn
Sessum ’12 , 2010-2011 sergeant-atarms and current president of the Afro
American Society and Jonathan Montero
’11, 2010-2011 President of the Latin
American Students and Friends
A Student’s Perspective on Receiving the ALANA E-Board Award
by Royshawn Sessum ’12
Over the past year, I’ve learned many things about the ALANA Student Center and the Afro American Society. Receiving the ALANA
E-Board Award is a great honor for me and a representation of my hard work and dedication towards the Afro American Society. This award
allowed me to bring my parents on campus and for them to see my leadership roles on the Canisius campus. My mother said to me “Royshawn,
have you noticed that in high school you received mostly leadership awards for sports, but now it has transitioned to academic activities?” This
helped me to realize that I’m not only a leader in sports but also in my academic achievements. I will expose and share my leadership skills with
members of the Afro American Society and students on campus. I plan to continue making the Society one of the top clubs on campus next year,
since I’m serving as the new president.
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ALANA Student Center Newsletter 2010-2011
Canisius College/Indiana University (IU) Recruitment Pilot Program
During Canisius College’s Easter Break, from April 21st to April 24th, several Canisius undergraduate students were provided with the opportunity
to visit IU. This included Michael R. Coad ’11, Student Pilot Project Coordinator/ULLC; Amber Villacrusis’11, Canisius College Performance
Troupe Member/ULLC; Terrell Robinson ’11, Canisius College Performance Troupe Member/COPE; Elliot Raimondo ’11, Canisius College
Performance Troupe Member; Mahamud Muya ’12/ COPE; Leman Harris ’12/ULLC; Michael McClurkin ’13, Honors Program/ULLC; and two
chaperones, Sababu Norris and Tishana Daniel, both of ASC. This trip introduced Canisius students to thinking about graduate school, and looking
at IU as a possible graduate school option. Students also had the opportunity to attend the IU Soul Revue concert of rhythm and blues, and
introduced IU to the Canisius College Performance Troupe by way of performance. The hospitality that was provided to Canisius students from IU
representatives was exceptional. Overall, the students learned about various graduate school options and graduate assistantship opportunities,
danced to the live music, and built relationships with each other.
Each student brought something unique to the trip and allowed me to enjoy their company. At the end of the trip, I felt that we all were a close
family who cared dearly for each other. I can see that the future will be bright for all of these students. I personally would like to thank the students
for allowing me the opportunity to get to know them, Canisius College for providing me with the necessary resources to be a part of this trip,
Dr. Charles Sykes (Executive Director of IU’s African American Arts Institute) for making the IU experience such an enjoyable trip, and ASC
for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to embrace such a fantastic experience. Thank you!
We thank Dr. Terri Mangione, Dean of Students; Mr. James Jones, Director of the Career Center; and Dr. Richard Wall, Professor of Economics
and Finance, currently the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, who served as the faculty consultant to the project; and the Office of Public
Safety as well as Canisius’ Opportunity Programs in Education (COPE) and the Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC). Such support was
instrumental in making the Canisius College/IU Recruitment Pilot Program a success.
Canisius Students with IU’s Dr. Charles Sykes
at Mother Bear’s Pizza
Canisius Students at the main entrance to IU
Canisius Performance Troupe with Dr.
Valerie Grim, Chair of Afro-American
Studies at IU & Sababu Norris,
director of ASC
Canisius Students in IU’s Black
Cultural Center
Donning of the Kente Stoles
On Thursday, May 5, 2011, in the Canisius College Grupp Fireside Lounge, the Afro American Society honored graduating seniors
of African ancestry at the second annual Donning of the Kente Stole Ceremony. The Kente stole is a ceremonial garment worn as an
acknowledgement of African ancestry, and it symbolizes accomplishment, community, unity, and pride. Canisius alumna,
Dr. Florence Flakes-Rozier ‘85 served as the event’s keynote speaker.
From left to right,
Sababu Norris of ASC,
Dr. Florence FlakesRozier, and Bennie
Williams ’11, 20102011 President of the
Afro American Society
ALANA Student Center Newsletter 2010-2011
Congratulations to the Class of 2011!
Keep on Being the Star that You Are!
Best Wishes and Continued Success!
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ALANA Student Center
Newsletter 2010-2011